12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar

For the past few years, I’ve wanted to create some kind of Advent Calendar for my home. I remember having the cardboard kind growing up that would have a new piece of chocolate hidden behind each pre-numbered door and I’d wait impatiently each for the allotted time to dig out my sweet treat. I’m hoping to instill the same kind of excitement in my own kidlets for the lead up to the actual Christmas day and in lieu of the store bought version, I created a DIY version that will last for years to come.

Now I am going to keep it real with you: although this project isn’t labor intensive, it isn’t the quickest thing to complete. I’m thrilled with the results, though, so I figure its time well-spent.

Directions:

2. Use the permanent adhesive to attach the numbers to the red circles. Set aside.

3. Use the permanent adhesive to attach the pinwheel pieces together. You’ll need five pieces per pinwheel.

4. Press the circle inward to create a pinwheel. Hold them firmly to keep the shape.

5. Apply hot glue in a circle to the back of the red circle and press it on the pinwheel. Hold the circle in place until the glue dries (a few seconds). Turn the pinwheel over and use the hot glue to attach a clothespin to the back. Let it cool completely.

6. Using the hot glue again, attach the clothespin/pinwheel combos to the bare boards. You could easily use one longer piece of wood to create a single calendar; I chose to split it up into 2 separate pieces to take up less wall space.

7. Fill the small treat bags with sweets or fun family Christmas activities and place one inside each clothespin.

I cannot even begin to tell you how dang excited our whole family is for those 12 days to get here so we can get started on making our special Christmas family memories!

Have you been debating whether or not to get a Cricut Explore of your very own? November is a great time! There’s an awesome Black Friday deal coming (keep checking back because I can’t wait to share the sweet deal!) *plus* Cricut is offering free shipping for the entire month!

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